Governor-elect Larry Hogan Jr. made a special appearance at the annual menorah lighting ceremony in Baltimore’s McKeldin Square Tuesday evening along with several local politicians, rabbis, and approximately 100 members of Baltimore’s Jewish community-to celebrate the first night of Chanukah.

The event which was sponsored by Baltimore’s local affiliate of Chabad-Lubavitch-an Orthodox movement within Judaism-was in part made by possible by local philanthropist Howard Brown, who donated the 30-foot menorah-which was named after his late daughter-Esther Ann Adler.

Change Maryland (Courtesy)

Hogan could be seen sporting a yarmulke while simultaneously riding to the top of the giant menorah in a construction crane-with Chabad’s Regional Director-Rabbi Shmuel Kaplan, who gave the Governor-elect the honor of lighting the candles.

Prior to the lighting, Hogan appeared on stage where he briefly danced with several rabbis to a traditional Chanukah song, and wished the crowd: “Happy Chanukah” in Hebrew-with Kaplan’s assistance. The Governor-elect also spent a good amount of time mingling with the crowd before the ceremony began, as did Lt. Governor-elect Boyd Rutherford.

Among those in the crowd was Rabbi Levi Druk-leader of Chabad of Downtown-who was in charge of setting up for the event and overseeing the mechanics behind the menorah. Druk, a Michigan-native and son of refugees from the former Soviet Union, explained the significance of the ancient holiday.

“Chanukah celebrates the victory of freedom over tyranny and the right to practice Judaism with pride,” Druk said.

The rabbi elaborated on this concept saying: “In this country we are lucky to enjoy the right to serve God and we should all take advantage of it.” Druk also praised Hogan’s decision to attend the event and described the Governor-elect’s gesture as a great: “example of the blessings of religious co-existence we (Jews) enjoy, and that it meant a great deal to the attendees” as well.

Photo courtesy(Change Maryland)

Hogan, who made national headlines after becoming only the second Republican to win the Governor’s Mansion since Spiro Agnew in 1966, cruised to victory over his Democratic rival-Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown with 51 percent of the popular vote, performed well in many Jewish and traditionally Democratic precincts and is well attuned to issues affecting that community.

“Governor-elect Hogan believes that Israel is one of America’s best friends in the entire world and that the special relationship between the two countries is rooted in shared democratic values, and should be cultivated and respected by our nation’s leaders,” said Erin Montgomery, the Governor-Elect’s press secretary.

Hogan also made a concerted effort to reach out to Jewish voters while campaigning for the state’s highest office. The Governor-elect met with and spoke to leaders of the Baltimore Jewish Council, visited Ner Israel Rabbinical College in Pikesville, and participated in the B’Nai Israel Political Forum in Montgomery County.

Tuesday’s ceremony highlights not only the importance of celebrating a holiday that originated after the canonization of the Old Testament, but what could also prove to be a very close-knit relationship between Maryland’s Jewish community and their state’s new chief executive.

About the author

Bryan is a reporter and political columnist with Baltimore Post-Examiner and has broken multiple stories involving athletic scandals. He has been interviewed by ABC's Good Morning America as well as Baltimore area radio stations. Bryan has both covered and worked in the Maryland General Assembly and is extremely knowledgeable of politics, voting patterns and American history. In addition to his regular duties, Bryan freelances for several publications and performs investigative research. He has a B.A. in Political Science. Contact the author.